There are thousands of books on the market today encouraging church growth. The Bible is the best church growth book of all time!
I. The Word of God Brought Power
A. The Word Must Be Preached
The Bible is not man’s word about God, but God’s word to man. I thank God that you believe His Word!
If I did not believe the Bible was the Word of God to teach, train, warn, witness, encourage, edify, I would not be in the ministry. I would not study it. I would not share it. I could be golfing, vacationing, sleeping, working, spending time with family, watching TV, etc.
Because the Bible is the Word of God and it is the truth, there is every reason in the world to study, share, speak, surrender to it.
God cannot lie.Paul tells is in Titus 1:2. God is the Author of this book. He is Faithful and True!
2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
I thank God today for faithful parents, SS teachers, Pastors, friends who speak the Word of God. (Dr. John Sullivan, Dr. Mark Brister, Dr. Stephen Trammel, Pastor Tom Cobb). Through their faithful preaching of the Gospel, I came to believe that Jesus Christ loved me, died for my sins, was buried, rose again, and now lives in me by His Spirit! How about you?
Illus: God is in heaven and an angel comes up and God says, "My plan is to give the Good News to my children on earth and ask them to share it." And the angel says, "What if they don’t? What is plan B?" And God says, "There is no plan B."
B. The Word of God Must Become Personal
Some do not believe the Bible is really the Word of God or believe only the parts that are convenient
Many are watering down God¡¦s word to conform to their beliefs rather than letting God¡¦s word be truth in their life
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. John 17:17
A man once said to a pastor, "I don¡¦t believe in hell.¨ The pastor said, "Your unbelief doesn’t cancel out the truth of God¡¦s word."
Do you personally believe (rely) on God’s truth - Jesus is God and the Only way to the Father? The Lord Jesus Christ lived a sinless life, died on the cross of Calvary, was buried, and on the third day rose again? That you cannot attain eternal life by your way, but must come before God as a sinner repenting of sin and trusting only in the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you believe His Holy Spirit lives in you, empowers you, leads you, gifts you? Do you believe Jesus is coming again for His own? You are not your own, but have been bought at a price? The Word must become personal.
Note - Theologian Norman Geisler taught why the Bible is to be trusted - Science verifies it. Before science believed these things the Bible said: the earth is round (Isa. 40:22); the earth is suspended (Job 26:7); the universe had a beginning (Gen. 1:1); it has been expanding (Isa. 42:5); it is running down (Ps. 102:26); human bodies are made of the earth’s elements (Gen. 2:7);
The Scribes or writers claimed the Bible to be God’ s Word
The Scriptures contents confirm the Word of God. There are hundreds of prophecies that have been 100% fulfilled (an interesting study is to look at the prophecies that Jesus fulfilled)
The Savior Testified to it. Jesus claimed to be God, He was confirmed as God by the acts of God, and He said the Bible is the Word of God.
The Stones Verify the Bible. Archaeology has found NOTHING that has ever refuted the Bible and thousands of finds that have verified things written in the Bible.
The Structure of the Bible. It is a book of great diversity but a supernatural unity. It was written over thousands of years by around 40 writers who all describe one problem (sin), one cure (salvation), through one person (Jesus) for one purpose (the glory of God)
The Spirit witnesses to our soul. God¡¦s Spirit testifies of the Bible¡¦s trustworthiness.
The Saved. Believers testify of the change the Bible has made in their lives.
II. The Word of God Brought Persecution
A. The Persecution of Saints
"For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost." 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16
Despite the Jews constant watching for the arrival of their Messiah, they missed him when he came, and even killed him (Matthew 27:25). The Jewish leaders thought Jesus was a false prophet, and they didn’t want his teachings to spread, so they opposed all who preached about him (Acts 4:18). -Life Application Bible Commentary, 1 & 2 Thessalonians.
Every person who stands for God¡¦s truth, godly living is going against the flow and will take heat for it (1 Timothy 3:12).
Some of our suffering is due to sinful choices (that is not suffering for Christ). Some of our suffering is due to living out God¡¦s will.
15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. - 1 Peter 4:15-16
B. The Provoking of Satan
Satan hindered us¨ 1 Thessalonians 2:18
Paul eagerly wanted to minister to these new believers, but was Satanically hindered. Always remember, followers of Jesus Christ have an enemy, Satan. He wants no one encouraged, evangelized.
Jesus is Lord of the harvest and our lives. His power is greater than the enemy
He wants to work through us to touch lives with the Good News that Jesus saves.
Satan will do all he can to stop believers from sharing the love of Jesus.
Do the Olympic athletes give up because of difficulty? Are you going to let Satan stop you from being faithful to the Word?
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.¨ - Galatians 6:9
Pastor Luis Rodriguez was called of the Lord to start a church in Puerto Rico. Upon arrival, he was astonished at the lack of commitment from the church people. Only one other couple showed up for prayer meeting. God spoke to Pastor Luis’ heart, It is for one life, one soul I’m sending you to Coamo. Don’t worry about the ones who made excuses and didn’t come.Two faithful couples have started a tremendous church there. The name of the church is Raham, Hebrew for "have compassion."
While Satan does work to hinder a faithful church, saints can hinder God’s work as well. Each of us should ask the Lord, am I helping or hindering?
Hindering Church?
Complainer
Content to stay home
Contentious
Careless in giving and listening
Carnal (not living like saved)
Helping Church?
Comforter
Consistent, Faithful to attend
Cordial, Friendly
Committed, focused on Jesus and His Word
Christ-like, maturing
III. The Word of God Brought Perspective
"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not eve you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.¨ 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
Paul looked beyond the pain and saw people in the presence of Jesus Christ for all eternity.
People Are Priority
What two things last forever? The Word of God (Isaiah 40:8) and people (John 3:16)
Who will you look at differently this week through the eyes of Jesus?
Evangelism Is Essential
I am afraid
I don’t know how
People will not respond (80-90% will come to church if invited)
People do not want to hear
I haven¡¦t been a Christian long enough
I don’t know any lost people
The Problem All have sinned Romans 3:23
The Penalty The wages of sin is death Romans 6:23
The Provision God commendeth his love toward us in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
The Promise Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved¨ (Romans 10:9)
Caring is Contagious
Crowns for the Committed
An interesting article I read this week said the number one reason churches stay small is, We don¡¦t want it to grow.
Christ is Coming
Someone has said: A rich person can sign his name to a check and make it worth millions that’s capital.
A government can mint currency by engraving and printing, that’s money.
An artist can take an inexpensive canvas and paint a picture on it and make it worth thousands that’s art.
God can take a worthless, sinful life, wash it in the blood of Christ, put His Spirit into it, and make it a blessing to humanity that’s salvation!
Conclusion
The Word of God powerfully changes lives
We will face persecution for faithfulness to Jesus
Our perspective must be the joy of seeing others come to know the Lord who has forgiven, freed us, and found us!
